New Zealand
February 11, 2016
DairyNZ has recently released its latest rankings for the Forage Value Index (FVI), the independent, region specific, profit-based index for short-term and perennial ryegrass cultivars.
For the first time since the FVI was launched in 2013 one pasture company has a top ranking, five star ryegrass in all categories of the index, in every region of the country.
“No other pasture company has achieved this, and as well as confirming the on-farm financial value of Agriseeds cultivars, it confirms the R&D value of what we believe is the best plant breeding programme in the Southern Hemisphere,” says Michael Hales, marketing director at Agriseeds.
Farmers can find out which individual Agriseeds cultivars are the most profitable to sow in their region by visiting www.dairynz.co.nz, and going through the 2016 rankings.
In summary, however, Trojan is a five star perennial ryegrass in every region - upper and lower North Island, and upper and lower South Island. Alto and Arrow are also among top ranked perennials in three of the four regions.
Shogun is the single most profitable 12 month ryegrass in every region in the latest FVI rankings, and is also the only cultivar in the FVI which ranks five stars for 12 month growth. That puts it into a category of its own, Michael Hales says.
Tabu Italian and Hogan annual ryegrass round out the list, with each receiving five stars for profitable winter feed production in every region.
“These rankings reflect the great work done by the breeding team at Agriseeds. Equally exciting is the progress we are continuing to make with new material,” he says.
“Plant breeding is a slow, careful process, so it is great to see new breeding lines and endophytes coming through which will be even better for your farm enterprise - and for NZ’s export earnings.”
The FVI is a valuable tool for farmers to use as part of deciding which pasture cultivars are right for their farm, particularly when times are tight.
“Using the right pasture genetics is one of the keys to successful pasture renewal during low payout years, along with upgrading the right paddocks, and using the right renewal technique that suits the farm and the soils.”
“Bargain seed is always available but a basic rule of life is that you get what you pay for, and seed is no exception. Saving $100/ha on cheap pasture seed can end up costing much more, through poor germination, high weed content, minimal endophyte or simply poor genetics.”
For more detail, talk to your seed merchant or visit www.agriseeds.co.nz
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